T-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered under the War
Emergency Programme in March 1941 from Denny at Dumbarton. The ship was laid down on 25th November 1941 at the same
time as her sister snip HMS TERMAGANT in the same shipyard. She was launched en 17th June 1943 and
completed en 20th January 1944. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK in March 1942 the ship had been adopted by
Barrow-in-Furness, then in the county of Lancashire,
now in Cumbria.

31st Deployed for screening during
passage of Task Force 37 ships or replenishment.

August

1st Replenishment transferred to new
area because of swell conditions.

2nd Passage with screen for BPF ships
to renew operations.

. 4th Refuelled during passage from BPF
cruiser.

(Note: Availability of fuel in destroyers was of Increasing concern.)

9th Detached from screening duty
during air strikes and joined Task Group 38.5

with HMS TERMAGANT
and TENACIOUS as screen for HMS GAMBIA

and HMS
NEWFOUNDLAND.

Took part
in bombardment of shore targets at Kamaisha, Honshu
during main

attack by
US Task Unit 34.8.1 on Japan Iron Works.

Rejoined
Task Force 37 on completion of detached duty.

10th Fuelling programme altered and
screening duty during further series of

combined
attacks continued.

(Note:
Decision to extend operational period was made by US Admiral of

US 5th Fleet following the entry of USSR into war with Japan.).

11th Transferred to US Task Force 38
for deployment in Task Group 38.5.

(Note: During
Replenishment period agreement with US Navy was made

for fuel to be provided for Token Force of RN ships required to

take part in surface ship bombardments and air attacks in Tokyo area.

Remaining British Pacific Fleet ships took passage to Manus prior

to
R&R in Australia.)

Token British element of Task Group 38.5 comprised:

HM Battleship KING GEORGE V. HM Cruisers GAMBIA and NEWFOUNDLAND.

HM Destroyers TROUBRIDGE, TERMAGANT, TENACIOUS

TERPSICHORE, TEAZER. HM Destroyers BARFLEUR, NAPIER, NIZAM,

WAKEFUL, WRANGLER

13th Deployed with screen for TG38.5
during air attacks in Tokyo area.

Determined
attempts by Japanese to carry out bombing attacks defeated by early

interception 25 miles from aircraft carriers of Task Force 38.

15th Screening duties continued for
passage to operation area after refuelling with US

warships of Task Force 38.

Deployed
with screen for Task group 38.5 final air strikes.

Air
attacks after formal surrender all failed.

27th Deployed with reformed Task
Force 37 and anchored in Sagami Bay.

For
details see above references.)

P o s t W a r
N o t e s

HMS TERPSICHORE was deployed
for the support of repatriation of allied personnel from Japan and attended the final surrender of Japan with
reformed Task Force 37 in Tokyo Bay on 2nd September. On release from service
with the British Pacific Fleet the
ship returned to UK in 1946. She was placed in Reserve and laid up at Devonport. In 1953 this ship was converted
for use as a Type 16 Anti-submarine Frigate by her builders at Wololston. After completion and trials in her
new role in 1954 she was replaced in Reserve at Devonport.
Refitted during 1958.and in 1960 laid-up at Lisahally, Northern Ireland. This destroyer was placed on
the Disposal List in 1964 and sold to BISCO for demolition by West of
Scotland Shipbreakers. She arrived at the Breaker's
yard in Troon, Ayrshire under tow on 17th May 1966.